I'm literally just starting this after finishing chapter twenty-one because why not.

I'm feeling extra motivated so surprise! Double update!

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Yixing's POV

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All was relatively calm tonight. A drama played quietly on the TV. The sun set the sky ablaze with oranges and purples and reds. Ying Yue was still here, cuddled up to me with her head on my shoulder. We were in the lounge closest to my room, one that kind of became my personal lounge. I toyed with her hair, enjoying the calming quiet.

"I love you," she murmured, barely audible. My fingers stilled momentarily. "I know this hasn't been easy so far," she continued. I glanced down to her, but her focus was on the screen in front of us. "But thank you for giving us a shot. I've never been happier, and I can't wait until September."

"I love you too," I replied, pressing a feather-light kiss to her temple. Her confession was a lot to process. We lapsed back into silence, the only sounds being from the TV and the occasional shout from staff somewhere in the palace. I resumed playing with her hair, winding the strands around my fingers. "I can't wait for September either," I added in a whisper. "Or October."

"Oh yeah, you take the throne then, don't you?" she questioned. I nodded, a movement she could feel in the position we were sitting in. "Is it scary to think about?" she asked. "Being king I mean."

"Terrifying," I admitted. "But I have an advantage going into this." I gave her a gentle squeeze. "I'm going to have the most beautiful queen by my side."

"Aww, you're sweet," she replied. And again we lapsed into a comfortable silence. I rested my head against hers, closing my eyes. I knew for a fact I could get used to this. Even if I was young yet, I thoroughly enjoyed this kind of domestic life. I could forsee a future like this, with the two of us cuddled on the couch after a long day, talking quietly about everything and nothing all at once.

"Yixing, I..." We both turned as the door swung open and a third voice called into the calm. Luhan stopped abruptly when he saw I was not alone. "Oh, my apologies your majesties," he said with a bow. "I did not mean to interrupt."

"That's quite alright Luhan," Ying Yue cut in before I could even say anything. He looked momentarily as surprised as I felt. "Please, come in. Why don't you join us for a bit. I'm sure it's been a long day for you as well."

"Alright," Luhan agreed reluctantly, taking a few tentative steps inside the room, shooting Ying Yue questioning glances. But my fiance had already redirected her focus to the TV, her head on my shoulder once again. Carefully, Luhan sat in an armchair close to our couch. "How was your visit with Zitao?" he asked, directing the question at me.

"It was good," I replied, absent-mindedly kissing the top of Ying Yue's head. She sighed contently. "It was nice to catch up with him since I haven't seen him in so long. He brought with him, though, some interesting news. Did you know his father bought out some of the major news outlets."

"I did not," Luhan replied. "I wouldn't put it passed Mr. Huang though, from what I remember about him." He turned his attention to Ying Yue. "And how was your day miss?" he asked quietly. "Have any success dress shopping?"

"It went well Luhan. Thank you for asking." Again, he seemed shocked. "I think I may have found the perfect dress, but I don't want to spoil anything just yet. You boys might have to wait until the wedding." She peeked up at me. "Your mother is such a sweetheart, I just love her," she said to me. I smiled.

"I'm glad," I replied. Then, to Luhan; "I'm assuming you came here for more than just idle chit chat. What's up?"

"Oh, I was just going to tell you that I'd just gotten off the phone with Junmyeon," he replied, settling more comfortably in his chair when it was apparent he wasn't being kicked out any time soon. "He's in London right now, I don't even remember what for. He was feeling overwhelmed with life, so he gave me a call, as I tell him to do when he doesn't want to talk to someone back home. He mentioned to tell you goodnight."

"Oh?" I said, checking my own phone quickly. I didn't see anything by him. "Speaking of night, I should turn in," I added, suddenly having a strong urge to hear his voice. "I have a lot to do tomorrow."

"Alright dear," Ying Yue said, rising and stretching her lithe body. "I think I will do the same. Mind if I just sleep here tonight?"

"You know you're always welcome here," I said, rising as well. I gave her a soft kiss. "Sleep tight darling. I'll see you in the morning." She smiled and waved with her fingers, making her way out of the lounge. I turned to Luhan, who seemed perfectly happy watching the drama still playing lowly from the TV. Not that I blamed him. As Ying Yue mentioned, it was probably a long day for him too. "Goodnight Lu," I said. "Feel free to stay and watch as long as you want."

"Thank you Xing," he replied without taking his eyes off the TV. "I think I will. Have a good night." I finally made my way out of the lounge, heading to my room. Instead of climbing into bed, however, I sat in the chair by my windows, my phone clutched tightly in my hand. I took a deep breath and pressed call, holding it to my ear.

"Yixing." God just hearing his voice was enough to knock the breath from me. "This is unexpected. What's up?"

"Nothing," I replied. "I just wanted to talk is all. I want to make a better effort of keeping in touch with you this time." He said nothing in response. "How is London?" I asked at last.

"It's good," he replied. "Kinda lonely though. I'm here by myself. Mother offered to come with, but I couldn't do that, even if technically speaking she's queen until I find a bride." I hummed in sympathy. At least I had Luhan when I travelled. I imagined it would be lonely to be by myself. "I'll admit Xing," he continued, sending my brain into malfunction mode. "I wasn't expecting a call from you, but I'm glad you called anyway."

"Of course," I said, gazing up at the ornate ceiling. "What are friends for?" Again, he grew suspiciously quiet, though I had a hunch as to why this time. Friends. It felt weird to call him that, even in my mind, after mentally calling him my boyfriend countless times. But I had to remind myself that a friend was all he was. That part of my life was over.

Right?

...

Junmyeon's POV

...

I gazed out the large window at the well manicured lawn, feeling a small pang of homesickness. I didn't want to be here. I didn't feel like a functioning adult. But, because I still had a duty to do, I was here. All alone. Maybe I shouldn't have waited so long to find a bride. But the very thought brought bile climbing my throat. I couldn't do it. Not when every part of me was consumed by a love that would never be returned.

"Isn't it getting late there?" I asked into my phone, abandoning my position at the window. I wandered around my spacious room, feeling a bit at a loss. King Henry was nice enough to give me a suite during my stay, and had even provided a translator since English wasn't my strong suit. They'd made me feel very welcomed. And yet I still felt lonely. I kind of always had.

"Yeah," Yixing replied. "It's kind of late. Almost ten. But it's not like I haven't stayed up later." There was a slightly playful edge to his tone now. "What time is it there?"

"Three in the afternoon," I replied, finally choosing to sit on the edge of the bed. But almost immediately I rose, pacing around the small space once again. I didn't have anything going on until tomorrow (King Henry explained it was to give me time to rest since there was an eight hour time difference) so I felt restless. "Realistically I'd be sleeping right now," I continued, pausing in front of a lavish vanity. I gazed at my own reflection steadily. "But I honestly don't feel tired."

"Stop your pacing young man," he scolded, and I immediately stopped in my tracks, my head tilted to the side. "If you aren't already get changed into whatever you packed to sleep in." I opened my mouth, then quickly closed it.

"Yes sir," I mumbled. "Be right back." I set the phone down and selected my outfit from my suitcase, ducking into the attached bathroom to change. Once I emerged, I studied myself in the mirror again. I looked drastically different in Yixing's oversized shirt and pajama bottoms. "What are you planning?" I asked, lifting the phone back to my ear.

"Nothing," he said innocently. "Now lay down." I did as he told me, climbing under the comforter and settling comfortably against the pillows. "How's Baekhyun doing?" he asked after what I assumed was him figuring I'd laid down. "Still lively as ever?"

"Of course," I answered, stifling a yawn. Now that I was laying here, not doing anything, I was getting drowsy. "I would never ask him to change though. I may never admit this to his face, but I really like his energetic and curious nature. I feel like I lack those sometimes, so he balances me out." A soft chuckle followed that statement.

"He kind of reminds me of my childhood friend Zitao, who I actually saw today," he said. "Tao was always spunky and curious too. I can't tell you how many times we got in trouble because he was snooping around when he shouldn't have been." He laughed lowly. "Ah, those were the days. If only I could rewind time to when bed time was my biggest adversary and the only worry I had was whether or not we were going to get caught."

"Sometimes I wish that too," I told him. Even if I didn't have a friend to share the memories with, I still wished I could go back to a time where my only real worry was whether or not I had to go to bed on time. "Life was a lot simpler back then."

"You got that right," he replied, the last word cut short by a yawn. "Though I wouldn't trade away now for anything. I got to meet you." And once again he rendered me speechless. "Meeting you was one of the best things that's happened to me," he continued. "I'm sorry I couldn't convey that to you any clearer, back when we actually had a shot at life together." He sighed. "I love you," he mumbled.

"I love you too," I answered, a lump forming in my throat as I finished up that confession. This was still forbidden. I couldn't love him. Not like this. "So much." But I also feared I couldn't help it. A little piece of me would always long for him, no matter how much the world around me changed. It was silent on the other end of the line, save for his breathing. I took a deep breath of my own. "You still there?" I asked, feeling my eyelids begin to droop slightly.

"Yeah," he replied. "Just thinking, that's all." I heard some light rustling in the background. "Feel tired yet?"

"No," I lied, already fighting to stay awake to talk to him.

"Liar," he said, a smile evident in his tone. "Go to sleep Junnie. It's alright." God his voice was soothing. He began to hum a familiar melody, and before I could even really comprehend what was happening, I was out.

...

Yixing's POV

...

"Junnie?" I asked quietly. I'd hoped my plan had been effective. And when only the sound of steady breathing greeted me, I knew I'd succeeded. I chuckled. "Goodnight King Junmyeon," I whispered. "Sweet dreams." I hung up the phone.

Yes, I'd intentionally made him get ready for bed and then talked to him until he fell asleep. Yes, it was horribly cliche, thanks for asking. But he seemed so restless at the start of our call. Being that wound tight wasn't good for him. He worried me. But, I also understood there wasn't a whole lot I could do for him, at least right now. All I could do was be there if he needed me.

I plugged my phone into its charger, settling back against my mountain of pillows. I reached out and opened the lid of the music box, wincing when it creaked a bit. I'd have to remember to get the hinges oiled. If I broke it, I'd be crushed. I stared up at the mural on my ceiling, painted there when I was just a baby, letting the music wash over me and calm the raging storm inside.

One day at a time, I reminded myself. One day at a time.

...

I was stuck for so long on one little part so I'm glad I figured it out finally. Okay, surprises time.